Navy Assault

Julian had been training on Bugi Island for over twenty days. The members of all six divisions had improved rapidly. Julian had Pablo serve everyone the best food and drink. What pleased Julian most was that the Fourth Division had become a swordsmanship division. Many of them trained in Gale Style Swordsmanship, and their drawing speed had become extremely fast. This included many of the female crew members training in the Fourth Division.

Julian treated everyone equally, making the entire crew train in Earth Weight-Bearing Suits, including Alice. Alice also had the desire to grow stronger. The one whose strength had improved the most was Herbert. He was already close to the realm of Steel Cutting. His dual-sword style, combined with Gale Style Swordsmanship, was incredibly fast, and his strikes came from tricky angles. His blades even seemed to carry sword energy. He would soon break through and become a powerful Swordmaster.

Julian also sparred with the many Division Captains, frequently having them fight one another to spur each other on. Herbert's swordsmanship could be said to grind those Division Captains into the dirt. Julian could still defeat Herbert, though. Herbert did not know Armament Haki, so he had no way to defeat Julian.

Julian also found two massive iron hammers for George and Pekki. They were extremely heavy, and the two trained with them as weapons. Each hammer was three meters long and weighed over two thousand jin. Julian even wrapped their weapons in mud, making the two practice their physical strength.

Allison mainly trained in swordsmanship, with his Devil Fruit ability as support. Of course, he had not neglected developing his Devil Fruit ability either. As his White Wolf Human Beast Form improved, the strength of his entire body had indeed increased. Julian felt that Allison had a high chance of awakening in the future. He also practiced Gale Style Swordsmanship. Zoan Devil Fruits naturally enhanced physical strength and speed, making Allison even faster. Privately, he was also practicing the 0.5 version of Soru, a simplified version. Julian felt that reaching the level of Swordmaster would not be too difficult for him in the future.

Pierre's development of the Magnet-Magnet Fruit was truly impressive. He had already begun controlling one hundred flying swords and was starting to resemble a Shushan Sword Immortal. He still carried a katana himself. Julian truly felt that this Devil Fruit ability was terrifying. If Pierre had not been such a loyal worker, Julian would not have dared give him this Devil Fruit. Julian also taught him that he could separate and recombine steel, reshaping it however he wanted. Whether for attack or defense, it was a Divine Skill.

Leo's Fifth Division was basically made up of marksmen. Julian had previously assigned the old, weak, sick, and disabled to Leo. Leo's three Squadron Captains were all marksmen. Leo's swordsmanship and shooting skills had both improved rapidly. Julian even suspected that he had awakened Observation Haki. Like Chen Erlei, his shots could be summed up in one word: accurate. Furthermore, in his Eagle Beastman form, Leo could fire sniper rifles from high in the sky. He was exceptionally good at sneak attacks.

Julian lacked the conditions right now. Once he reached Sky Island, he could find scientific personnel to develop rifles or other automatic rifles instead of relying on this era's Flintlock Guns. It would be best if they could develop Seastone bullets. At that point, other Devil Fruit users would be ambushed to death by Leo. Julian secretly thought, Looks like I have no choice but to visit Wano Country.

Moreover, Julian had no way to store Seastone inside his body. He himself was a Devil Fruit user. Once he came into contact with Seastone, the things stored inside his body would burst him apart. Julian did not want to die by his own hand. He was afraid of precisely this situation. Whenever battle was about to begin, he would release the things stored in his Mud Space in advance.

Julian truly feared running into scheming bastards. He could not afford to lose everything through carelessness and end up weeping bitter tears. Looking at his lively crew, Julian planned to train for another week before heading to the next island, then going to raid a South Blue Naval Branch. It could not be helped—the Naval Branch was too far from Julian's fleet. Julian was also curious. His bounty had already reached one hundred million, yet no Navy had come after him. He could gain benefits from them too. Preferably someone of a higher rank, preferably experts who knew Marine Rokushiki. Then Julian would not need to raid a Naval Branch.

They would sail directly from the next island toward the next World Government member nation. Although the Grand Line was still half a South Blue away, Julian was already very confident. Roger would not become the Pirate King until next year, so Julian still had plenty of time. There were also two Devil Fruits on Sky Island: one was the Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit, with the greatest destructive power, and the other was a Zoan Devil Fruit, the Ox-Ox Fruit, Common Zoan, Pegasus Form.

What Julian coveted most was the flying Sky Island vessel, the Ark Maxim. Julian declared confidently, "By then, I'll definitely become a great emperor. At the very least, taking Sky Island won't be difficult. Becoming the king of Sky Island won't be a problem!"

Julian secretly thought, I can sell the World Government some fake information later and swindle a few Devil Fruits from them. That really won't be difficult. The World Government is searching for the super Ancient Weapon Pluto, and I know where Pluto is. They're also looking for the Nika Fruit, and I know where that is too. They're even searching for this era's Joy Boy. Julian said, "Joy Boy is that little bastard Momonosuke. Even if he isn't, he has to be."

Julian secretly thought, I can sell intelligence to the revolutionaries, then sell weapons and equipment to the Revolutionary Army and have them trade Devil Fruits for them. Julian added, "Then I'll steal some more Devil Fruits and build up my own forces." He declared, "Just tell me, who else is there? Who can stop me?"

There were also two disgusting Devil Fruits Julian feared. For instance, Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit truly gave Julian a headache. Then there was Kaido, another headache on top of that. Thinking of those two left Julian speechless. Neither had any sense of fair play, and both could fly. However, in the original story, Kaido had never gone to the Sky Island above Jaya Island, while Golden Lion was defeated by Luffy in the movie.

Julian secretly thought, Golden Lion never went to Sky Island either. Next year, Golden Lion will still be tightening screws in Impel Down. He only escaped Impel Down in the year of the Ohara Genocide Order, Grand Line Era 1950. During the Buster Call, Ohara Island was bombarded by Akainu and Navy warships. Akainu then ordered the refugee ships fleeing the island to be shelled as well. Ohara Island had at least two hundred thousand people, and in the end, only Nico Robin survived.

Julian's current timeline was only Grand Line Era 1946, with four years remaining before the Ohara Genocide Order. He was even considering going to Ohara then to snatch a few more historians and enrich his own forces. Leaving nothing behind wherever he went was Julian's principle for growing stronger.

Julian stopped thinking and resumed punching. Facing an enormous tree, he threw rapid punches at it. He even used his Devil Fruit ability to add red, heavy earth weights to both hands. The other Division Captains were also training with their heads down. Julian intended to train here for half a month. The herbivores on the island had already been eaten by the hundreds by Julian's pirate crew.

Julian also preserved some blood samples from those animals. Later, he could recruit biologists and have them try researching them. When he built up his forces in the future, would he not have his own animals for meat? There would be no need to buy it everywhere.

Sky Island, Shangri-La, also known as Upper Yard, had land. The rest was clouds and the Sky Sea. There were no massive herbivores up there. Julian had Pablo capture some young giant herbivores and raise a few young wild cattle aboard the merchant ship to see whether they could survive. Later, they could serve as breeding cattle. Julian would build his own ranch on Sky Island, then go to Wano Country and seize the Ripe-Ripe Fruit to ripen cultivated crops.

Julian secretly thought, That Devil Fruit was ruined by Arin, Wano Country's female ninja. She had originally been a stunning man-killer, but after eating the Ripe-Ripe Fruit, she turned into a super-fat old woman. Arin even ripened that little bastard Momonosuke from eight years old to twenty-eight. I really want to kill that little bastard Momonosuke.

In his previous life, that little bastard had truly disgusted Julian. All he did was cry, stare at girls' little buns, and fucking loved eating little buns. He even crawled into filial daughter Yamato's big buns, constantly pretending to be an adorable eight-year-old. Who did not know that little bastard was already twenty-eight? He deceived women everywhere and often went to girls' bathhouses to look at little buns.

After Luffy defeated Kaido, that Little Foolish Bird continued serving as Wano Country's shogun. With so many people in Wano Country, would he not be eating little buns everywhere in the future? Julian's Den Den Mushi suddenly rang. "Moshi moshi." Julian took out the Den Den Mushi, and Pablo's voice came through from the other end. "Captain, several Navy warships are sailing toward our island. They seem to be here to capture us." Julian said, "Got it."

Julian shouted, "Brothers, prepare for battle!" Everyone grabbed their weapons and waited for Julian's command. Julian secretly thought, This is my first clash with the Navy. I don't know how strong they are, but I'm not made of mud either.

Julian led all the crew toward the direction from which the warships were coming, with several Division Captains following behind him. The crew watched several ships advancing toward the island over the sea. Looking at the warships, Julian said, "Quite a few Navy men came." The Division Captains were brimming with fighting spirit, all waiting for Captain Julian's command. Julian immediately ordered, "Let those Navy trash land first. We'll catch turtles in a jar." Allison said, "Catch turtles in a jar. What a fine phrase. Captain, you are the most learned man on the Sea." George cursed inwardly, That white wolf really is a shameless flatterer. I should have been the one to say that to Captain. Next time, I'll speak faster and praise Captain before him.

After thinking for a moment, Julian said, "We'll capture the Navy leader, kidnap all the Navy soldiers, threaten and intimidate them, strip off their clothes and photograph them with the Den Den Mushi—anything can be used against them. As long as they know Marine Rokushiki, we have to snatch them away." Seeing Allison about to speak, George beat him to it. "Captain, as expected of the smartest man on the Sea. You came up with such an incredible plan in seconds. I admire you beyond measure."

Allison secretly thought, That bear is such a bootlicker. Those were clearly the things I wanted to say. Next time, I'll speak faster and make Captain like me even more.

Julian secretly thought, These guys are even competing over flattery. It's not like that's something delicious. Julian said, "You two, stop fooling around. I'm arranging the battle plan." Julian said, "Capture them all. We're not afraid we won't be able to force answers out of them, unless they can't speak. Take nude photos with the Den Den Mushi, then find Morgans, the news king, and expose the Navy for having no shame."

Julian added, "Let them land first. The enemy definitely won't be an admiral. This is only South Blue, so at most there'll be a Major General. If that Major General knows Armament Haki, we'll gang up on him." Allison said, "Captain is amazing. This plan is absolutely flawless."

Julian secretly thought, There's no such thing as fair play. Julian led everyone to wait on the beach. This stretch of beach was long. Julian's ship was on the upstream side of the beach, while the Navy was preparing to land on the downstream side. Julian smiled. "I was just thinking of moving the ship to avoid damage. Now there's no need."

Julian began arranging the battle plan. "I'll take a few people to lure them at the edge of the beach and draw the Navy into the forest. Everyone else will wait in ambush in the woods with your weapons." Julian said, "George, Pekki, the Third Division Captain Allison, and I will go. We'll lead the Navy to this ambush point. The rest of you wait here." Everyone replied, "Understood, Captain!"

Julian chose this plan because there was more mud in the forest. Once battle began, controlling the mud would be much more convenient. There was barely any mud on the beach, and creating mud with his Devil Fruit ability would consume too much stamina. Julian also did not know how many Navy men had come, so he could not waste too much stamina.

Julian led George, Pekki, and Allison toward the beach. He would lure them first. When the four reached the beach, Navy warships were speeding across the sea toward the deserted island. Looking at the warships, Julian felt they were indeed far better than his own warship. At the very least, they were streamlined, and each warship had three massive cannons at its bow. A total of five warships had come. Julian looked at the Navy warships before him.

He smiled. "Come on. Let's see whose is harder." Standing on the beach, Julian directly activated his Devil Fruit ability, Mud Missile. Forming his hands into gun shapes, he began firing at the Navy over five hundred meters away. Mud bullets shot from his fingertips as he opened fire on the Navy.

The Navy colonel who had just disembarked was Major General Gilmi. Rear Admiral Gilmi drew his katana and looked at Julian five hundred meters away. With one slash, he cut down every black mud bullet Julian had fired. Then he shouted at Julian, "Kid, surrender. I don't want to kill you." Julian did not respond and fired several more hardened mud bullets. George shouted, "You Navy trash, if you have the guts, come chase your grandpa!" Julian also shouted, "Brothers, run! There are too many Navy men!"

Julian did not want the Navy to grow suspicious. If they did not follow, would his crew not have laid their ambush for nothing? Gilmi knocked aside the Mud Missiles with another slash and gave the order, "Charge over there and defeat the pirates! These pirates have been frightened into fleeing in panic! For justice, charge!" With that, more than five hundred Navy soldiers launched a charge behind Gilmi.

Several Navy officers also knew Soru, and Gilmi could even use Geppo. Julian knew it was settled. The lure had worked. Julian shouted, "Brothers, the Navy is too strong! Run! The Navy is coming, run!" At that shout, the Navy soldiers behind them became even more excited. They all shouted, "For justice, charge! Eliminate the pirates!"